Wrecked my truck, aaaaaarrrrrrgh!

Went after work to Burger King which is just over the hill from my office. Got a diet coke, pulled out in the lane that takes me back up the hill to my office and was headed home. Wasn't 1/4 mile up the hill and a buckeye was dead stopped in the road in a mild curve. 2 cars were coming in the opposite lane and the road was wet and the anti-locks didn't lock or anti. Only going about 35 I had no chance to stop. Smoked him. So, the dude (65+) gets out, I ask him if he's ok and he immediately trots into the house that he obviously was trying to get into the driveway. So, I called 911 then called my receptionist to come get me and an older lady (similar in age to the buckeye) comes out, turns off his late 90's model Tahoe. Mind you, no turn signal, no brake lights, nada. I can't say for sure, but at the rate I closed on him, it even seemed if he was coming back down the hill. So, the lady (his girlfriend) tells me he has stomach problems and voila, dude reappears from the house. All he can say is "I had my turn signal on, didn't I"? to the girlfriend. Well, it's apparent now that dude is hammered. City police finally arrive and he asks Buck Eye if he's been drinking and he proceeds to tell him he had one beer. Cop says "must have been a big beer". And there are a couple of things that tick me off. 1. My truck was paid for 2. It's been the best vehicle I ever owned and planned on driving it until it just died (which it obviously did today) 3. It was a 06 model and only had 90K miles on it.

So here's my rub: Dude was smashed, he missed his turn into his squeezes driveway and is dead stopped. Frankly without any lights on at all he was either coming at me or parked. The officer said he was facing some major issues, and that's great, however, it's still my fault because I rearended him. I can say without any reservation that there was no chance with a wet road that I miss him. I understand that there's a proper distance that safe, but in a curve there was not that opportunity to avoid him at a complete stop.

So, I've been on ebay, checked all the local dealers for a new ride. Typically, I'd be kinda tickled to be shopping for a new vehicle, but this is the first car in my life that I bought new and paid for without trading it in first. I loved that truck.

I know how you feel, happened to me with a paid off car. Car payments suck. At least you are OK. Doesn't seem fair it was your fault.

Originally Posted by HammerTime

I know how you feel, happened to me with a paid off car. Car payments suck. At least you are OK.

Yep, fine. And I don't care to admit that when I found out he was drunk, the first thing that ran through my mind is "wish I had floored it". I know, not the freewill Baptist attitude I should portray. At least I didn't shoot him with the judge that was under the seat.

..And my wife, who always has the "outlook" on such things says that maybe it was meant for me to hit him so he wouldn't really hurt someone else down the road. Frig, how do you argue with that?

Originally Posted by HammerTime

I know how you feel, happened to me with a paid off car. Car payments suck. At least you are OK. Doesn't seem fair it was your fault.

I thought KY was no fault state? I had a lady hit me while sitting at a stop light years ago and the officer said, she hit you, and yes its her fault, but KY is a no fault state so its up to your insurance companies to decide who pays for what.

Originally Posted by spindoc

..And my wife, who always has the "outlook" on such things says that maybe it was meant for me to hit him so he wouldn't really hurt someone else down the road. Frig, how do you argue with that?

Sounds great, except it doesn't replace your truck. Smack me, sleep with my wife, rob me blind...mess with my kids or my truck and I'll kill ya.

Originally Posted by plantmanky

I thought KY was no fault state? I had a lady hit me while sitting at a stop light years ago and the officer said, she hit you, and yes its her fault, but KY is a no fault state so its up to your insurance companies to decide who pays for what.

It is but typically when you reared someone they don't decide in your favor.I'm not 100% sure how it works.

Glad that everyone is okay. Maybe it will work out better than it sounds right now. I do understand the love of that first brand new car, especially when it runs well.

It happened in West Virginia, and it's their fault for not having a check station that screens buckeyes who want to drive across the border.

Major Bummer, Spindoc. Sorry to hear about this but glad noone was hurt. Does the other guy get a reckless driving ticket?

Originally Posted by spindoc

It happened in West Virginia, and it's their fault for not having a check station that screens buckeyes who want to drive across the border.

They should have their own lane.

Originally Posted by Crash Davis

Sounds great, except it doesn't replace your truck. Smack me, sleep with my wife, rob me blind...mess with my kids or my truck and I'll kill ya.

Exactly.

Originally Posted by hoops5

Major Bummer, Spindoc. Sorry to hear about this but glad noone was hurt. Does the other guy get a reckless driving ticket?

I imagine he'll get DUI. Not sure if he went to jail or not. Chief of police is a patient of mine so I'll call him tomorrow and he'll tell me.

...I've been told that in a wreck involving a driver under the influence, the DUI offender is ALWAYS at fault. That could be incorrect, but I'd STRONGLY suggest you look into that.

Where's mexitucky?

Originally Posted by spindoc

Where's mexitucky?

He'd be a good start...

Rocket would know as well.

Originally Posted by Colonels_Wear_Blue

...I've been told that in a wreck involving a driver under the influence, the DUI offender is ALWAYS at fault. That could be incorrect, but I'd STRONGLY suggest you look into that.

That was always my impression.

Come on legal panel, help a brother out.

Originally Posted by spindoc

I imagine he'll get DUI. Not sure if he went to jail or not. Chief of police is a patient of mine so I'll call him tomorrow and he'll tell me.

Wouldn't that automatically put him at fault in a crash?